Marvin Compper came in with a good reputation at Celtic Park especially because he had ample experience in the Bundesliga. However, he has made just one appearance so far since he joined in January and it seems clear that the centre-back isn’t regarded too highly by Rodgers. The 33-year-old had some injury issues but he has been fit for quite a while now this season and last month he even lashed out on Rodgers for not keeping him in contention for a place.
He was quoted as saying, ”I’m fit and I train very well. Even my team-mates do not understand why I do not play. In the summer I had a calf injury. I got an athletic trainer and a physio at my own expense and made myself fit. Now it is up to the coach Brendan Rodgers to finally give me the trust.
”I still have a contract until 2020, but of course, I do not want to sit on the bench. In August, Celtic suggested to me about a change of club. But I do not want to move on so easily. I hope for my chance and want to play.”
Jozo Simunovic, Filip Benkovic and Kristoffer Ajer have all been injured at some point this campaign, but Compper is yet to play this season. However, as the season goes by, maybe the defender could be called into action as the future of Filip Benkovic and Dedryck Boyata looks uncertain at the moment.
Signed for £1m in January, Rodgers would have hoped that he could get the best out of this experienced German who even has one appearance for his national team. With an experience of 195 Bundesliga games under his belt, the signing was seen as a step in the right direction. But in less than a year, selling him in January looks the most likely option at the moment for the Hoops.
Compper has his contract until 2020 and after a year where he hasn’t played much, we don’t believe there would be too many takers for him in January. However, the likes of Jack Hendry and Simunovic have so far underperformed and if the likes of Boyata and Benkovic depart soon, Compper might play a significant role even this season.
The defender is known to be strong and robust in challenges and is also good aerially. As Compper said, even after being fit, he is surprised that he isn’t in contention to play so there must be something that Rodgers isn’t happy or satisfied with at the moment. If that’s the case, then the club should definitely put him up for sale in the January market once they ascertain that the likes of Boyata and Benkovic don’t leave.
